The YoHealth Malta Premier has entered a decisive stage as this season’s title race and the teams that will lose their top-flight status will be decided in the next two weeks as the Closing Round came to a close last weekend with no verdicts yet.
Last weekend’s results in the Top 6 have decided that this season’s Premier League title will be decided via the Final Four play-offs.
This is because Marsaxlokk won the race for second spot at the expense of Ħamrun Spartans and will be joined in the Final Four by leaders Floriana and Valletta.
Here is a roundup of all the action from Matchday 30 by SportsDesk.
Marsaxlokk FC (3 – 2) Naxxar Lions FC
Marsaxlokk snatched second place after a 3-2 win over Naxxar Lions.
James Kirby netted a brace for the Southerners with the other goal coming from Nikolai Muscat.
Naxxar had temporarily made it 1-1 through Vitinho while Gabriel Goncalves pulled a goal back in stoppage time.
Valletta FC (2 – 1) Ħamrun Spartans FC
Valletta dented Ħamrun Spartans’ hopes of finishing second after securing a 2-1 win.
Jackson Mendoza put Valletta ahead with a spectacular strike while Raphael Compri levelled matters for the Spartans soon after.
But it was Valletta who had the final say as substitute Ahmed Adebayo who headed home the winner.
Gżira United FC (0 – 1) Floriana FC
In the other Top Six clash, Floriana ended their regular season commitments with a 1-0 win over Gżira United, with Mustapha Jah netting the winner after only five minutes of play.
The Final Four will now get under way on Saturday with Floriana facing neighbouring rivals Valletta while Ħamrun Spartans will face Marsaxlokk.
Tarxien Rainbows FC (2 – 1) Sliema Wanderers FC
The relegation is also going down to the wire after Tarxien Rainbows and Żabbar St Patrick both won their final match to force a decider in a bid to avoid the second-from-bottom spot.
Tarxien Rainbows overcame Sliema Wanderers 2-1, with their goals coming from a Neil Frendo own goal and a Manny Aguek penalty conversion.
The Wanderers had temporarily drawn level courtesy of an Edmond Agius penalty.
Żabbar St. Patrick FC (3 – 0) Hibernians FC
Żabbar St Patrick brushed aside Hibernians 3-0. Italian forward Mario Fontanella grabbed a brace with the other goal coming from Ayom Mayok.
Following these results, Tarxien and Żabbar remained tied on 15 points in sixth place and will face each other in a decider on Tuesday.
If Żabbar win, Tarxien will be relegated and a play-off between Mosta and Naxxar Lions will be played to decide who will be the second team to lose their top-flight status.
On the other hand, if Tarxien win, two relegation play-offs will be played.
Tarxien will face Żabbar again while Mosta will face Naxxar Lions.
Birkirkara FC (1 – 1) Mosta FC
In the other Bottom 6 clash, Birkirkara and Mosta took a point each following a 1-1 draw
Franklin Sasere fired Birkirkara ahead on 31 minutes.
But Mosta levelled matters on 75 minutes when Luke Urpani hit a thumping drive that gave no chance to Martinez.
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